My conversion questions

[Stolaas]

First off, this is my first post here and im getting a crash course in our new coach.  It is a 79 mci9.

I have a couple of questions and thought I would put them all together the first time. 

1- im trying to decide if i should remove the "bus" door opener.  The only reason i would do this is to make a large instrument panel.  What are your thoughts?  Do you like the original or Take it out.  And how hard is it to take out?

2- i am i n the finishing stages of the conversion, and my OTR air work good.  Should i just leave it in till it breaks down and then tear it out or is it worth keeping maintained?

3- can the Vanner 24/12v keep up if i use it to convert all the outside vehicle light to 12v and run it all through it? And if i do so, does this modification mess up the tell-tell lights?

4- where do most of you all get your extra parts? I've signed uo for an account with Mohawk so i can get my roling lobe airbags ( having them installed by MCI at Lebanon TN ) but for items like dash boards or instruments, etc.  Most sites I find don't have prices and really hard to navigate.

5- i have a pretty nice inverter but it doesn't have the pass-through capability.  What switch is needed to switch between the inverter and shore/gen power?

I guess thats it for now,  thanks for your help in advance.   I've been reading the BCM like crazy learning all kinds of stuff.

[PCC]

Welcome to the fun world of "housecars". It is an addictive realm from which there is no real exit; it will simply keep drawing you closer and closer to the core, where there is no escape.

Hope you enjoy this place as much as I have, and that your conversions is everything you imagine it will be.

Keith
PCC

[bevans6]

Welcome!  Some random thoughts about your questions...

Bus door opener.  Can be extremely handy to have, which I know because I don't have one...  Think carefully about your use before your decide which is best for you.

OTR air is very strong.  If it works, I would personally leave it in but it only works when the bus is running and it can be costly to maintain.  many remove it due to cost and replace it with something that works both driving and at rest.

12v lights.  If converting to LED, then probably a good plan.  If converting to incandescent, investigate the current load on the in-place wiring.  You need a certain wattage of light for visibility, and 12v draws twice the current as 24v for the same wattage.  LED, on the other hand, draw almost nothing.  The Vanner, if typical, is good for 50 amps or so max at 12v.

Inverter - you can pick up a simple transfer switch to suit.  I use Iota 30 amp 120v switches, since they suit my application perfectly, but there are many options.

Brian